The Security Week That Was: A Recap - March 25-31, 2006

by Geoff Kohl, editor On Mar 31, 2006

We're just a few days away from ISC West, and the world of security seems to be simultaneously screeching to a halt and yet becoming more harried. Pack your suitcases and brush up on your blackjack odds, and we'll see you in Vegas next week. SecurityInfoWatch.com along with sister publications Security Dealer, Security Technology & Design, and Locksmith Ledger will be available at booths #19142 and 18139 (they are next to each other). Do say hello when you get a minute.

Going Global

Assa Abloy's Global Technology Division has created a new division using a brand you're likely to be highly familiar with. HID Global is the new Assa Abloy entity specifically targeted toward electronic access control solutions, and it pulls together the HID and Indala brands with Synercard, Access ID, Interlock and BUGA. The move combines the engineering, sales, support and delivery of these companies. The new global division is not just a "plan"; these Assa Abloy companies have already begun implementing the HID Global structure, and that structure will be reflected at ISC West.

Speaking of cards and access control... For those of you selling and installing contactless smart cards, you may have found a good niche. New research was made available this week that indicates the contactless card market will see huge gains in the next few years, as these smart cards find their way not only into access control and identification markets, but also the world of payments and telecommunications.

VARs vs. Security Integrators

This week we published a piece by industry consultant Ray Payne, CPP, discussing Cisco's purchase of SyPixx, a company which "delivers broadcast quality video, data, and audio over standard Ethernet/IP and fiber optic networks". In some, it's a company where the technology fully embraces the "convergence" model. Payne's column, a big hit among readers suggests that the acquisition further confirms that IP communications is going to be the dominant method of data delivery between devices, whether its cameras or access control or sensors. He also looks at what the acquisition could mean for the integrator/dealer channels. Catch Ray's thoughts on the subject here.

The Chemical (Industry) Romance

Much attention has been given to securing the nation's critical infrastructure, with a large amount of grants, DHS oversight and legislation directed toward critical infrastructure. So far, that interest has been particularly focused on ports, airports and borders. A little more quietly, the security of chemical plants has been batted back and forth in state legislatures and on Capitol Hill. After a visit to a Honeywell chemical plant in southern Louisiana in March, SecurityInfoWatch.com responded with a close look at the legislation that could shape chemical plant security. There may just be some romance between the chemical industry and Congress this year that could lead way to a bill giving the DHS oversight for chemical plant security. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

Nightmare Scenario?

The guard services industry caught egg on its face this past week as allegations and interviews were published that a Pennsylvania girl had been trapped inside the home of a school security guard for a decade after the two met at the school where she attended and he worked. At shows like ISC West and the ASIS Seminars and Exhibits, we've been seeing numerous technologies that vow to replace your security guards with "intelligent" sensors. Nonetheless, the guard services industry has been one that's stayed firmly entrenched in how facilities are secured. Still, stories like this one seem all the more cause to consider removal of the human element...

...And finally, some tradeshow news

While we're getting ready for ISC West, ASIS announced today the keynote speakers for its 2006 Annual Seminars and Exhibits. Scheduled this year are Bob Dole and former CIA Director George Tenet. Looking for the ISC keynote? That would be Tom Ridge, and he's scheduled to appear from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5. You can get more details on Ridge's address here. We'll see you there.